Congratulations to everyone participating in Kearney Little League this year – it has been a great season of baseball!  The efforts and attitudes displayed by the players have exemplified the important ideals found in the Little League Pledge about playing fair, striving to win, and doing your best.  In addition, the efforts and attitudes displayed by the adults who support Little League have been admirable, and have followed closely the words found in the Little League Parent/Volunteer Pledge about teaching all children to play fair and do their best; positively supporting all managers, coaches and players; respecting the decisions of the umpires; and praising good efforts despite the outcome of games. 

The Little League board of directors would like to express our profound appreciation for these wholesome attitudes and efforts.  Little League’s noble purpose, which is to use the great game of baseball as an outlet of healthful activity and training to help the players become good and decent citizens, is only possible thanks to the attitudes and efforts of these youth participants and adult volunteers. 

Congratulations also go to the 52 players who participated in the AAA and Major All Star Games which were held on June 16^th, and the 20 players who participated in the Junior/Senior All Star Game at Memorial Field on June 21^st.  The night of these All Star Games is always one of the highlights of the summer in Kearney, and this year was no exception.  We celebrate the players elected by their managers and coaches for the honor of participating in the All Star Games, and also the many players who received votes but fell just short of election to these games. 

Also, we extend congratulations to the fortunate few chosen to represent Kearney Little League in the Minor and Major League state tournaments: 

Minor League (10U) Roster

Kade Fuller, Hagan Gates, Cooper Gillespie, Easton Haas, Landon Herrmann, Cooper Johnson, Korbin Killion, Bryson Lewis, Keiley Mills, Max Ondrak, Jude Swarm, Traxton Tobey, and Blake Uelmen.

 The Minors team is led by manager John Uelmen, and coaches Chad Gillespie, Dane Tobey and Mike Johnson.

Major League Roster

Aiden Banda, Connor Bash, Connor Boness, Blake Bosshamer, Kolden Kohler, Spencer Krueger, Owen Launer, Peyton Meier, Cole Rehtus, Brooks Rethorst, Kamden Robinson, Korbin Skeen, and Cooper Willis.

 The Majors team is led by manager Terry Kohler, and coaches Colin Pfeiffer, Ben Rehtus, and Justin Rethorst.

For those chosen to participate on these tournament teams, we wish you good luck in your preparations and in your tournaments.  Remember that you are representing not only yourselves and your families, but also your regular season teammates, Kearney Little League overall, and the entire Kearney area.  Thank you for your diligent efforts and your positive attitudes and sportsmanship!

All those who were not elected to these teams can hold their heads high for the great efforts shown this season.  While it’s natural to experience some disappointment at not being chosen to play in the state tournament, every player can continue to display great sportsmanship and honor by congratulating those teammates and friends who are among the fortunate few to represent us in the post-season, and by spending some enjoyable time getting ready for next season.  There were a total of 17 different Minor League players and 16 unique Majors players who received votes, which shows that the baseball talent pool in Kearney continues to be deep. 

The post-season begins this year on the weekend of July 16^th-18^th, and concludes the following weekend, July 23^rd -25^th.  All of the State Tournament games are in Kearney this year.  This marks the first time since 2000 that the tournament will take place in Kearney.  All Little Leaguers and their parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends are encouraged to come out to Patriot Park to cheer for our league’s teams.  Go Kearney!